Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Thyme
Juicy shrimp quickly sautéed in garlic butter, brightened with fresh lemon juice and thyme for a simple seafood delight. This american-inspired seafood ready in about 13 minutes pairs peeled and deveined large shrimp, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 lb, peeled and deveined large shrimp
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Step 1: Heat 3 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and foaming.
- Step 2: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 3: Add 1 lb peeled and deveined large shrimp, season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper, and cook for 2 minutes per side until pink and opaque.
- Step 4: Pour in 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice and sprinkle 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, stirring to coat the shrimp well. Cook for an additional 1 minute until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Step 5: Remove from heat, garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and serve immediately.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Thyme take to make?
Total time is about 13 minutes (5 min prep + 8 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Thyme?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep unsalted butter from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Thyme?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Thyme for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sautéed Garlic Butter Shrimp with Lemon and Thyme?
American seafood like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
